Issue No. 10: Notes From The Studio
Travel and art are great ways to get to know yourself.
We’re back from our trip to Puerto Vallarta and rather than dump a bunch of images into your inbox, I’ve shared them, along with the highs and lows of our trip, right here on my website blog. I hope you enjoy it!
I feel like we learn so much about ourselves when we travel. When our preferences show up in unfamiliar territory they stand out so much more.
Like I’ve known for a while that I’m not a person who likes “manufactured fun.” I guess that’s the best way to describe it. No offense, but I don’t like Disneyland.
For instance, as you’ll read in the blog post that I linked to above, I hated the “entertainment” on our boat ride in Puerto Vallarta. Like, DESPISED it. Same for the people around the pool at the resort that we stayed in who were trying to make everyone “party”, and the photographers on the snorkeling trip that attempted to get our family to do cheesy poses in the (horrible) photos they took of us.
When I go on vacation I want to relax and take things at my own pace. I want to focus on the beauty of my environment and experience new things internally.
I don’t need anyone pointing things out or trying to make it more “fun” or interfering with my own experience of it in any way. Maybe that’s my introvert nature. Maybe it’s part of being an artist and taking in inspiration.
Maybe that’s why I don’t go on a lot of tours in general or use headphones in museums. If I see a painting that I’m drawn to, I’ll look it up and read more about it myself. I don’t want to hear anyone else’s opinion or explanation as I’m taking it in for the first time.
I want to make it part of me first.
I’m not advocating that this is the “right” way to do life or art or travel. It’s just my way. People were having fun while they were screaming along to crew-members-turned-lip-synchers on the boat trip — good for them! And I know lots of people who enjoy learning about the background of art as they stroll through museums. There are lots of ways to appreciate art and life.
It just pays to know yourself, I think — in life and in art.
Before I get to the featured painting and print for this issue, I want to let you know that next week I’ll be sending out an email that will introduce three new large paintings that will be available for you to purchase. That email will include a sale code for you! That’s right, I’m having a pre-spring sale on my entire collection of original paintings that are currently in my online gallery, plus three new ones that I will introduce next week.
I will NOT be posting the sale email as a public post on Substack, so you’ll need to make sure that you get the email versions of my posts directly in your inbox to get the sale code. If you haven’t opted out of the email versions of my posts, then you’ll get it. If you’re not currently subscribed and you want to sign up, you can do that here.
Featured Painting: Kaleidoscope No. 2
First of all, I want to thank Seattle Art Source for finding a home for my beautiful, colorful oil painting Kaleidoscope No. 1.
I’m so grateful for my long-term partnership with Sarah and Seattle Art Source. You can see my other paintings that are available exclusively through Seattle Art Source here.
Now for this edition’s featured painting, Kaleidoscope No. 2.
I feel like the Kaleidoscope paintings go well with my newfound Puerto Vallarta inspiration. If you’re interested in purchasing Kaleidoscope No. 2 before my sale email goes out next week, send me a message and I’ll make sure that you get sale pricing on that painting.
Featured Print: Color Block
Color Block is available here in various sizes and framing options.
Thank you for joining me today! Let me know if you have any questions about my art.
xo,
Melanie
